Missing mushroom picker found safe

Missing mushroom picker Brian Stephens of Amity has been found safe, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office.

Stephens was cold but otherwise unhurt following his overnight ordeal, according to Capt. Tim Svenson of the sheriff's office. He did not require hospitalization.

See Friday's print edition for additional details.

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Yamhill County Search and Rescue has members out this morning looking for 55-year-old Brian Stephens of Amity, who was reported missing Tuesday night after he failed to return home earlier in the day from a mushroom picking trip.

His wife, Patricia, reported him missing about 6:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Russ Vandewettering of the sheriff's office. She last had contact with him at 11 a.m. and he was scheduled to return home at 3:30.

His vehicle was located northwest of McMinnville on Gopher Valley Road, about one mile south of Peavine Road, Vandewettering said.

Stephens is 5-foot-8, 260 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. It's believed he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and hiking boots. He may not have been wearing a jacket.

"We're getting resources together," Vandewettering said of the effort that includes ground searchers on foot and on all-terrain vehicles, in addition to canine teams and possibly air support. "We've asked Marion County for help, and we'll have our mounted posse out."

Stephens hunts so he is familiar with the woods, according to Vandewettering.

He's also familiar with the area where his vehicle was located, as there is a photo he took posted on his Facebook page that was taken from a clear cut on Gopher Valley Road.

"He may have gotten disorientated and is wating for daylight to find his way out," he said.

Anyone who sees someone matching Stephens' description should call the sheriff's office, 503-434-7506, during business hours, or the Yamhill Communications Agency non-emergency line at 503-434-6500.